Santa Monica vs. Culver City? (Vista: apartment, rentals, safe area)

[California963]

I am moving very soon for a new job located around Olympic/Stewart St. in Santa Monica. I do not want a long commute to work (under 20 min). While I believe I can afford a rental in SM I'm wondering if Culver City may be a better alternative for quality rental apartment pricing?
I would like info. on the commute between the two areas and if rentals tend to be lower in the CC area? I'm looking for a 1 bedroom or large studio under $1700/month and, really, would be more comfortable paying $1500/month. I'll be living on my own and would like a safe community as my top priority in addition to quick commute to work.
Also, perhaps there are another areas within my commute parameters I'm not considering outside of SM that are safe and somewhat reasonably priced for the area?
Thanks for you input!

[ElysianEagle]

in rush hour traffic i doubt you'll be able to get from culver city to santa monica in under 20 mins.

you can look at venice and marina del rey as well, might be cheaper and they're closer to SM than culver city.

if you can help it, get a place in SM. while culver city is nice, SM has more to do anyway.

[Dunbar42]

Large studio is sort of an oxymoron on the West Side. If you find them they'll probably be just as expensive as 1 bedrooms. Small studios (400-500 square feet) will save you around $200-300 a month vs. a 1BR but I don't know if you're up for that. I think you're going to struggle to find a nice 1BR in a decent area for $1500 though. They do exist around here but there's always a catch IME.

If you're willing spend $1700 the southern part of Santa Monica (south of I10) is doable. The Ocean Park and Sunset Park neighborhoods of Santa Monica are pretty nice. Then there's West LA and Mar Vista which aren't quite as nice but more affordable. Culver City is maybe $100-150 cheaper than a comparable 1BR in south Santa Monica. You can probably find a nice 1BR in Culver City for $1600 but not much less than that IME. Palms is near Culver City, and the rents are cheaper, but it might not meet your safety expectations. It's a safe area but is a little seedier looking. Venice is about as expensive as south Santa Monica and, given that, I'd personally choose (south) Santa Monica.

[California963]

Dunbar-
Thanks for the response. Sounds like south SM is where I should be looking. I'll have to suck up the fat rent for my needs!